Opinion: Poets Speak Truths About Wounded Veterans

Columnist argues that while many organizations help veterans, the government wastes billions on foreign wars instead of caring for those who served.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:00am

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A solitary, weathered American flag hanging limply on a dilapidated building, the warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a cinematic, nostalgic mood that reflects the op-ed's themes of neglect and forgotten sacrifice.The faded American flag on a neglected building serves as a somber symbol of the struggles many veterans face after returning home from war.Clovis Today

The columnist discusses the numerous organizations that work to support wounded and disabled veterans, but argues that the government is wasting hundreds of billions of dollars on foreign wars instead of properly caring for those who have served. He cites quotes from Rudyard Kipling and William Shakespeare to illustrate the disconnect between how society treats veterans during wartime versus peacetime.

Why it matters

This opinion piece highlights the ongoing challenges faced by wounded and disabled veterans in the U.S., as well as the broader issue of government spending priorities and the disconnect between rhetoric and action when it comes to supporting those who have served in the military.

The details

The columnist is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization, but no longer reads their fundraising letters, instead just sending a check. He notes there are many groups working to support wounded veterans, including building homes for wheelchair-bound vets. However, he argues the government is spending hundreds of billions on foreign wars that it has 'no business being involved in,' while the defense budget reaches $1 trillion. He believes the waste, fraud, and corruption in these government projects could be used to properly care for wounded veterans.

  • The columnist received another letter from the VFW recently.

The players

Rube Render

A former Clovis city commissioner and former chair of the Curry County Republican Party.

Rudyard Kipling

A British author who wrote the poem 'Tommy Adkins' about the disconnect between how society treats soldiers during war and peace.

William Shakespeare

A renowned English playwright who wrote the famous line 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' in his play Henry V.

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What they’re saying

“Aye it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that an' 'Tommy go away,'But who's the nation's 'eroes when the drums begin to play?”

— Rudyard Kipling, Poet

“We few, we happy few. We Band of Brothers.”

— William Shakespeare, Playwright

The takeaway

This opinion piece highlights the ongoing disconnect between the rhetoric of supporting veterans and the reality of how they are treated, especially those who have been wounded or disabled in service. It argues the government is prioritizing wasteful foreign wars over properly caring for those who have sacrificed for their country.